Floor Jack Replacement Wheels?

[EddieC]

Looking on opinions on floor jack replacement wheels and castors that might be a bit happier (smoother and more cooperative) on asphalt driveways.
My old Blue Beast (NAPA import) jack, probably over 35 years old and original, takes a lot of effort to move across the driveway and to get into position, each of which ends up not being smooth.
Current wheels are metal, steel or cast iron, not sure which, but show wear from abrasion on the pavement as would be expected after all the years.
Is a different material more suitable?
Any thoughts on Polyurethane on cast iron?

 

[wjburken]

Looking on opinions on floor jack replacement wheels and castors that might be a bit happier (smoother and more cooperative) on asphalt driveways.
My old Blue Beast (NAPA import) jack, probably over 35 years old and original, takes a lot of effort to move across the driveway and to get into position, each of which ends up not being smooth.
Current wheels are metal, steel or cast iron, not sure which, but show wear from abrasion on the pavement as would be expected after all the years.
Is a different material more suitable?
Any thoughts on Polyurethane on cast iron?

I would go with steel wheels myself.

Polyurethane will pick up all sorts of debris and my develop flat spots.

 

[OR VietVet]

IMO, after 35 years, keep the jack as a spare and get a new one. Import jacks are not that expensive.

 

[NoReverseYukon]

If it were me, I would get new metal rollers in as large a diameter that will fit. Also, on asphalt, I always place down some plywood before I roll the jack out. We all know how asphalt gets soft in the heat and a jack with some weight on it will sink in. I do the same with jackstands.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Agree with @OR VietVet . I know that we often get REALLY attached to our long-term tools, often to the point where we simply refuse to retire them.

But, you'll spent more time and money trying to re-wheel that old jack then simply replacing it. Give it a private retirement ceremony and replace it.

 

[EddieC]

If it were me, I would get new metal rollers in as large a diameter that will fit. Also, on asphalt, I always place down some plywood before I roll the jack out. We all know how asphalt gets soft in the heat and a jack with some weight on it will sink in. I do the same with jackstands.

Yes, bigger diameter would help.

On the support topic, having worked on our blacktop in the shade of ancient trees it's never hot enough to have an effect on support. Been here for over 40 years so that's not a concern.
The thing I am trying to improve on though is maneuvering and the long teeth rattling drag to the work area.
My wheels and casters are pretty narrow compared to what I see today and perhaps that's an outdated standard.

 

[EddieC]

Agree with @OR VietVet . I know that we often get REALLY attached to our long-term tools, often to the point where we simply refuse to retire them.

But, you'll spent more time and money trying to re-wheel that old jack then simply replacing it. Give it a private retirement ceremony and replace it.

I'm sure you are right on the feasibility of retrofitting but I recently did some work at a friend's place and he had two high end jacks that we used at the same time. That left a positive impression.
That puts a roadblock on the thought of retiring the old Beast even with a new replacement.

Thoughts of replacement do raise a question though; Were old Chinese jacks better than current new Chinese jacks?
Not looking for an answer to that but I will say that the old Beast is impossible to find replacement seals for even at a local "seal" warehouse. They couldn't match anything up. I have been lucky but maybe that answers the question.

 

[Blackcar]

I have used this company in link for seal kits for floor jacks.
Usually when you tear apart jack to get to cylinder and cylinder block there will be numbers that can be plugged into this company's web site and will get brand and seal kits available form them.

Seal Kits For Floor Jacks & Rams | Lazzar's Floor Jack Repair Parts | Lazzar's Floor Jack & Hydraulic Cylinder Repair Center

Lazzar's HCRC is a leading supplier of repair parts and seal kits for floor jacks, air hydraulic pumps, hand pumps and rams. We also sell Metric and Standard Seals.

www.hcrcnow.com

 

[EddieC]

I have used this company in link for seal kits for floor jacks.
Usually when you tear apart jack to get to cylinder and cylinder block there will be numbers that can be plugged into this company's web site and will get brand and seal kits available form them.

Seal Kits For Floor Jacks & Rams | Lazzar's Floor Jack Repair Parts | Lazzar's Floor Jack & Hydraulic Cylinder Repair Center

Lazzar's HCRC is a leading supplier of repair parts and seal kits for floor jacks, air hydraulic pumps, hand pumps and rams. We also sell Metric and Standard Seals.

www.hcrcnow.com

Company was bye bye long ago with respect to the jacks.

 

[wjburken]

Company was bye bye long ago with respect to the jacks.

Post up the details of your current jack. Maybe some has some different google-foo skills and might be able to help you find something.

 

[Blackcar]

Company was bye bye long ago with respect to the jacks.

If you are talking about company long gone that made your jack the company in link may have repair parts for cylinder they did for the antique jack I had.
I know your asking about wheels though.

 

[Fless]

If you are talking about company long gone that made your jack the company in link may have repair parts for cylinder they did for the antique jack I had.
I know your asking about wheels though.

^^^ This. The linked company may have records about the long gone jack company, or the equivalent mfr.

 

[Sparksalot]

Here’s one I’m looking at for uneven driveway and such.

3 Ton Off-Road Jack

Amazing deals on this 3 Ton Off-Road Jack at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[EddieC]

I have used this company in link for seal kits for floor jacks.
Usually when you tear apart jack to get to cylinder and cylinder block there will be numbers that can be plugged into this company's web site and will get brand and seal kits available form them.

Seal Kits For Floor Jacks & Rams | Lazzar's Floor Jack Repair Parts | Lazzar's Floor Jack & Hydraulic Cylinder Repair Center

Lazzar's HCRC is a leading supplier of repair parts and seal kits for floor jacks, air hydraulic pumps, hand pumps and rams. We also sell Metric and Standard Seals.

www.hcrcnow.com

Thanks for that but I have beaten that exercise long ago and the importer changed hands (long ago) and it was a dead end with the new company. When I bought it I was too young to realize that a 2 3/4 ton jack was going to be an odd duck.

It's a good reference though for the next jack to come.

 

[iamdub]

 

[waveryd]

I have a 2.25 ton Chinese jack purchased at Sam's Club in 1992. It has been a great jack but also a teeth-rattling drag out to the driveway. I'm a little obsessive at times so I completely disassembled it and greased every pivot point and the wheels. I noticed there were a few ball bearings missing from the rear casters and they were dry. Found the correct size of ball bearings on eBay and greased and assembled the rear casters. The jack works and rolls better now than it ever did.

 

[Fless]

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We hear ya, Bruh. Literally.

 

[iamdub]

Looking on opinions on floor jack replacement wheels and castors that might be a bit happier (smoother and more cooperative) on asphalt driveways.
My old Blue Beast (NAPA import) jack, probably over 35 years old and original, takes a lot of effort to move across the driveway and to get into position, each of which ends up not being smooth.
Current wheels are metal, steel or cast iron, not sure which, but show wear from abrasion on the pavement as would be expected after all the years.
Is a different material more suitable?
Any thoughts on Polyurethane on cast iron?

When I need to move a floor jack from the shop to the garage or even just a distance out to the driveway, I scoop it up with a hand truck.

 

[89Suburban]

I have a 2.25 ton Chinese jack purchased at Sam's Club in 1992. It has been a great jack but also a teeth-rattling drag out to the driveway. I'm a little obsessive at times so I completely disassembled it and greased every pivot point and the wheels. I noticed there were a few ball bearings missing from the rear casters and they were dry. Found the correct size of ball bearings on eBay and greased and assembled the rear casters. The jack works and rolls better now than it ever did.

Yeah I was gonna say just lubricating the wheels on mine made it MUCH easier to move and dampened some of the noise. I think a lot of the noise comes from the cup slapping.